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file infecting virus

A type of computer virus that inserts its malicious code into executable files on a system. When the infected file is opened or used the virus may overwrite the file and cause permanent damage to the content of the overwritten file. This type of virus targets a large range of operating systems, including Macintosh, UNIX, DOS, and Windows.

Also see The Difference Between a Virus, Worm and Trojan Horse in the Did You Know? section of Webopedia.



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